No decision has yet been made on imports of pork from the United States and pig raisers and traders worried about the possible affect on their income should remain calm, the commerce minister said on Monday.
Apiradee Tantraporn said Thailand did not seal a pork imports deal with the US during the recent visit to Washington by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Last week Gen Prayut also denied reports that he agreed to the importation of US pork during his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House early this month.
Thailand has also been pressured in the past to allow imports.
Mrs Apiradee said the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry has been assigned by the prime minister to set up a working group comprising pig farmers, traders and government agencies to study the impact of any such imports.
The Swine Raisers Association of Thailand has engineered a campaign against US pork for fear it could force down local prices. They argue the domestic market is already well supplied by local producers.
They also raised health concerns, pointing out that US breeders use ractopamine, a feed additive to promote leanness in animals which is banned in Thailand and many other countries
The association has threatened legal action against officials responsible for any decision to allow US pork to enter the Thai market.
Reports say imports from the US would mainly comprise pig parts consumers there generally avoid eating, such as heads, giblets, legs and offal.